ECSS Spring 2026 Council Nominations

Lily Lemieux

VP Internal 

Personal Description

 Hi everyone! My name is Lily, and I’m excited to run for ECSS VP Internal. I’m a motivated Electrical Engineering student dedicated to fostering a positive experience for engineering and computer science students at UVic. This past year, I served the ECSS as Secretary and was recently elected to represent undergraduate engineering and computer science students on the Search Committee for the new Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs. I’m also a member of the UVic Satellite Design and UVic Formula Racing electrical subsystems. Outside of school, I enjoy researching STEM topics, reading, and spending time in the great outdoors!

Platform Description 

As VP Internal, I plan to represent engineering and computer science students respectfully yet firmly when advocating for their needs and rights within the faculty. My goal is to ensure that student perspectives are clearly communicated and meaningfully considered in faculty decisions that affect our social and academic experience.

Having served as ECSS Secretary and participated in faculty-level discussions through my role on the search committee, I understand the importance of strong communication between students, the ECSS, and faculty leadership. I hope to improve these connections by promoting more transparency in the decision-making process. This way, students can voice their opinions and gain a better understanding of how decisions are made within the faculty and the ECSS.

In addition to the latter, I will support collaboration between student teams, clubs, and the ECSS to ensure their perspectives are included in discussions that affect the work of their groups and those within them.

I also intend to fulfill all the current responsibilities for this role, including organizing academic tutorial s for midterm and final preparation, supporting the First-Year Representative and Council, as well as helping with ECSS-run activities and events!

Overall, my goal is to advocate effectively, communicate openly, and ensure that engineering and computer science students have a strong voice within the faculty and a positive experience during their time at UVic!

Point Form Summary of Platform Description 

• Represent engineering and computer science students respectfully yet firmly when advocating for student needs and rights 

• Ensure that student perspectives are clearly communicated and meaningfully considered 

• Improve connections between faculty, ECSS, and students to build a platform for better communication on decisions regarding student life and academics 

• Promote collaboration between teams, clubs, and the ECSS to ensure the influence of more perspectives during the decision-making process 

• Organize more academic tutorials throughout the semester to help students better prepare for midterms and exams 

• Support the First-Year Representative and Council 

• Help with the running of ECSS events throughout the semester 

• Fulfill all responsibilities currently associated with this role

 Scarlett Steyn

VP Internal 

Personal Description
I am an engineering student with an appreciation for internal policy and a deep love for my 2 pet cats! Having served as this year’s First Year Representative, I have gained invaluable experience in how the ECSS operates and the importance of communication between students and governing bodies. I'm really excited about the opportunity to bring my energy to the VP Internal role, and ensure this society works well for everyone involved.

Platform Description 

My platform is focused on ensuring the ECSS remains a voice for all engineering and computer science students. Leveraging my experience as First Year Representative, I will serve as a dedicated liaison between the Council and the Faculty, advocating for our members' needs and maintaining integrity in our work. I will prioritize transparent internal policies, and work to improve the structure of our internal operations.

Point Form Summary of Platform Description 

• I will act as the link between students and the Faculty to ensure academic and professional interests are prioritized.

• I will refine internal policies to ensure they are fair and accessible.

• I will use my current First Year Rep experience to advocate for students with

• integrity and transparency in all internal affairs.

Luis Almhanna

VP External  

Personal Description
I am a second-year Biomedical Engineering student at the University of Victoria with a strong passion for leadership, collaboration, and advocacy. As the founder of the Youth Hope Haven Foundation, I have built partnerships, organized initiatives, and represented community interests while working with diverse groups. I also serve as Secretary of the Sooke Family Resource Society (SFRS), where I coordinate communications, support organizational planning, and help ensure transparency and accountability. These experiences have strengthened my ability to represent others effectively. As VP External, I hope to build strong connections with other engineering societies while ensuring UVic students are well represented. 

Platform Description 

As VP External, my goal is to strengthen how UVic engineering students are represented, connected, and supported within the broader engineering community.

First, I will ensure strong and effective representation of UVic engineering students at the Western Engineering Students’ Society Team (WESST) and the Canadian Federation of Engineering Students (CFES). These organizations help shape opportunities, collaboration, and advocacy across engineering schools, and it is important that UVic’s voice is clearly represented.

Second, I want to expand and improve our connections with other engineering schools and student societies. Strong relationships between engineering communities create opportunities for collaboration, shared events, and knowledge exchange that benefit students across Canada.

Third, I will ensure a fair and transparent process for selecting students who represent UVic at engineering conferences. Delegates should feel confident that selections are unbiased and accessible, and that those attending conferences are well prepared with clear communication, proper training, and organized transportation and accommodation.

Finally, I will work to expand the reach of the UVEC competition by increasing student participation, introducing additional competition categories, and building new partnerships and sponsorships to support a larger and more impactful event.

Overall, my goal is to strengthen UVic’s presence within the engineering community while creating more opportunities for students to engage, compete, and represent our school.

Point Form Summary of Platform Description 

• Strong representation: Ensure UVic engineering students are effectively represented within WESST and CFES.

• Advocacy: Actively communicate the interests and priorities of UVic engineering students in external organizations.

• Stronger connections: Build and expand relationships with other engineering schools and their student societies.

• Collaboration opportunities: Encourage partnerships, shared initiatives, and networking between engineering communities.

• Fair conference selection: Ensure a transparent and unbiased process for selecting students to attend and represent UVic at conferences.

• Better delegate support: Ensure delegates receive proper preparation, communication, and organized travel and accommodation.

• Expand UVEC participation: Increase student involvement in the UVEC competition by making it more accessible and engaging.

• More competition categories: Introduce additional categories so more students can participate.

• Partnerships and funding: Develop new partnerships and sponsorships to support a larger and more impactful UVEC event.

Forrester Munroe Parlee

VP External 

Personal Description 

Hello! My name’s Munroe and I am excited to be running for VP External 2026/27! I'm a 4th year Software Engineering student passionate about skiing, event planning, clubs, and a supportive campus/national community - Through conference and club experiences, I have had the privilege of meeting engineering students and professionals across Canada. I was the interim VP Communications in 2024, and I am currently Director Social Events; my passion projects include organising 4 EEE’s and the NASA Space Apps Challenge 2025. It's been fantastic working with the Event’s team and I look forwards to supporting a new face in the job!

Platform Description 

As your Vice President External, I will carry on existing traditions while delivering new opportunities! I firmly believe that access to extracurricular opportunities creates a confident, competent, and highly qualified student body; I have had the privilege to participate in student leadership, organise ECSS and space-industry events with 750+ cumulative participation of ECSS students, represent UVic as a conference delegate, and benefit from our thriving extracurricular technical culture. Through this, I have met wonderful people and stumbled into satellite development, a field of interest that I love and had no idea had co-ops right here on campus! 

I will prioritise representation and advocacy of UVic students on a WESST (Western Canadian) and CFES (National) scale. These organisations are a source of experience and information for a strong and experienced ECSS! 

I will promote participation in regional and national conferences. Lowering barriers while expanding participation turns conference delegates into competent and diverse leaders passionate about serving our student body! 

I will build upon our highly successful club and competition programs by supporting local engineering and hackathon events such as UVEC and NASA Space Apps, which prepare highly qualified students who excel at regional and national competitions such as WEC. These students benefit from network and skill development, and UVic’'s competitive streak sets us apart to industry and governmental sponsors! 

I will create a clear connection between club/conference activities and student body success by pursuing regional, national, and international sources of funding and co-ops!

Point Form Summary of Platform Description 

1. Represent and advocate for UVic students on a Western Canada/National scale 

2. Build a well-rounded and resilient ECSS through strong recruitment and development of competent, confident new members. 

3. Strengthen UVic’s extracurricular technical program

I) Technical engineering clubs generate external sources of sponsorship and prepare students for co-ops and careers

II) Accessible local Victoria engineering competitions and hackathons prepare highly qualified students for regional/national competitions 

III) UVic’'s competition in regional and national competitions benefits students and creates industry and governmental partners 

4. Expand access to opportunities and resources external to the ECSS budget 

I) Passionate involvement in extracurriculars secures fulfilling co-ops and careers 

II) Engagement with engineering at the national level enables new sources of scholarships and funding, bringing financial and professional opportunities to all students

Alaina Gregson Lamb

VP Communications 

Personal Description
My name is Alaina, and more recently you might know me from the Order of Pi promo videos (shoutout CapCut!) or loud office hours in the ECSS lounge. I’m a first-year engineering student and current ECSS Director of Charity, a role that unexpectedly brought me close to UVic students in a variety of years and disciplines. My experience has shown me how valuable casual spaces like the ECSS are for success in engineering, and I see so much potential to improve how we display that opportunity for connection to the students that are often left behind.

Platform Description 

Great events shouldn’t be inhibited by their communication. The ECSS works hard to create opportunities for student involvement in social, academic, and professional categories, but students still find it difficult to feel connected. When factors like late notifications, conflicts in timing, or uncertainty about the energy of an event arise, students feel unwelcome or uninformed and lose the positive experience that they could have had at the event. 

Communication should balance efficiency with creativity, and I feel that the role of VP Communications has the responsibility to improve how students view the ECSS and our role representing them. We should both showcase and support the diversity of experiences in engineering and provide space for the people with those diverse experiences to lead.

Point Form Summary of Platform Description 

• ECSS Event Platform: Reworking the ECSS website into a single unified space for all engineering & computer science clubs to share events & announcements in addition to their individual platforms. Instagram shouldn’t be the only way to find out about events!

• Streamlining Communication: Separating essential information from lower-importance content so that announcements aren’t lost in the numerous platforms used for communication (discord, email, Instagram, in-class, etc.). Coordinating more closely with the ECS faculty to avoid the potential of conflicting information or events.

• Club Connection: Providing opportunities for clubs to use ECSS resources to expand their reach to the student population.

• First-year Outreach: Addressing the lack of first-year involvement in the ECSS by increasing outreach to first-years through dedicated program introductions, lounge orientations, and information on tried & true tips to make it through first year.

Aaron Uy

VP Communications 

Personal Description
Hello! I’m Aaron Uy, a first-year undeclared engineering student who has been a part of the ECSS Team as a Graphics Coordinator since my first term here at UVic. As someone who’s spent much of their life creating content and media for personal social media platforms, I know the importance of tailoring information, media, and content to your intended audience. Many first-year engineering students don’t know about the ECSS; therefore, my plan as VP Communications is to get as many students to know about the ECSS, what our role is, and the events we host for engineering students.

Platform Description 

Creative Advertising

Many of us spend our time scrolling on Instagram whenever we’re bored, so we leverage that information by posting on our Instagram page to let students know about future events. However, I want to go a step further by making advertisements that grab students’ attention by latching onto current trends through Instagram Reels, which is by far the most entertaining advertising platform we have our hands on! I plan to organize and oversee the production of video advertisements with our Social Media Coordinator and Graphics Coordinators that will entertain AND inform engineering students about what’s new and happening with the ECSS. 

Website Revamp

The ECSS website could use an overhaul! Lots of useful information and resources live inside our site, yet many who I know are not aware of things like the exam bank, events calendar, and the newly created Discipline Handbooks, which will guide students in their chosen discipline. The layout and styling of it also looks dated and can benefit from a design revamp to emphasize modernity and innovation. I will work with the Directors of IT to redesign the ECSS website to keep it in its best shape. 

Emphasizing Society Benefits:

There are many resources and benefits the ECSS offers that many students can utilize to enhance their engineering experience. I personally advocate that students should know what the ECSS Lounge has to offer! The Lounge has an (practically) at-cost store for food and drinks and it’s a great place to hang out and socialize with other fellow ECSS members and contains general utilities that are of great benefit. There are many more things that we have to offer like student lockers, and the newly opened Makerspace to take your projects to the next level. I plan to relay these benefits across our platform through posters, brochures, and simply through word of mouth.

Point Form Summary of Platform Description 

To summarize, I plan to:

• Advocate the benefits and resources of what the ECSS has to offer

• Improve the reach and engagement with engineering students through creative advertising

• Revamp the ECSS website

• Ensure students are notified of important events within the ECSS that can improve their experiences as engineers

• Let the ECSS be known through social media, posters, e-mails, and word of mouth

Mehtab Dhaliwal

VP Equity 

Personal Description

 
My name is Mehtab Dhaliwal, and I am a first-year Computer Science student. I currently serve as the Director of Charity within the ECSS, and I would love the opportunity to continue growing and getting to know more members of the team. Through my time in this role, I’ve learned a lot about teamwork, communication, and responsibility while helping organize charitable initiatives. I hope to keep building on these experiences as I continue my journey with ECSS. Outside of school, I enjoy painting, which helps me express my creativity. I look forward to contributing more and connecting with others in the ECSS.

Platform Description 

My platform for VP Equity focuses on helping make the ECSS a supportive and fair space for all engineering and computer science students. Both fields can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially for students who may feel underrepresented or unsure about where they fit in, and I want to help create an environment where everyone feels comfortable getting involved and being part of the community. If elected, I hope to research and explore different ways the ECSS can better support minority and marginalized groups within engineering. I also want to look at the ECSS events, services, and operations to see if there are any barriers that might unintentionally stop students from fully benefiting from what the ECSS offers. A big part of my approach would be listening to students and making sure their voices and experiences are heard, because real improvement comes from understanding what people in the community actually need. I will also make sure the ECSS continues to follow the responsibilities outlined in the article. Overall, my goal is to help build a culture within the ECSS where diversity is respected and where every student feels like they belong and have the opportunity to participate, connect with others, and feel supported throughout their time at UVic.

Point Form Summary of Platform Description 

• Work toward making the ECSS a welcoming and fair space for all engineering and computer science students.

• Recognize that these programs can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially for students who may feel underrepresented or unsure where they fit in.

• Look for new ways the ECSS can better support minority and marginalized students in the engineering community.

• Review events, services, and operations to make sure there are no barriers that might stop students from getting involved or benefiting from them.

• Listen to student feedback and make sure their voices and experiences are heard.

• Focus on making improvements based on what students in the community actually need.

• Ensure the ECSS continues to follow its equity responsibilities and policies.

• Help create a community where diversity is respected and everyone feels comfortable getting involved.

• Support a culture where all students feel like they belong and are supported during their time at university.

Arden Loewen

VP Equity 

Personal Description
Hello! My name is Arden, and I'm a 4th year Software Engineering student. I first got involved with the ECSS as a general volunteer for a few months in the Spring of 2024, then went on to be the Vice-President of Finance for a year and have been Vice-President of Student Life since the end of September. During my time within the ECSS, I've been able to connect with a variety of people and experience the majority of what the ECSS has to offer. This has prepared me to take on the VP Equity role and help my peers!

Platform Description 

To better serve underrepresented members of the ECSS, my goal is to focus on three key items:

communication, policy, and community. 

To increase student awareness regarding available resources, for example mental health, I will create packages that combine these resources and distribute them regularly through the ECSS’ communication channels. This includes the promotion of the Incident Report Form, a method for students to report EDI related issues to the ECSS’ EDI Committee.

Besides compiling materials and promoting them, I plan not only to revise current ECSS policies for further clarity but to review how ECSS events and services are run so they can have the best impact on the participants involved. I will also expand ECSS’ EDI Training for volunteers so they can respond better to incidents that may arise during ECSS events or during office hours in the ECSS Lounge.

Additionally, I will work with advocacy clubs such as AISES, LTD/EngiQueers, and WECS to support minorities and marginalized groups on campus. I also want to build towards hosting more frequent workshops that better prepare individuals and clubs on how to support each other. One example hosted in the past was an anti-violence preparedness workshop for the ECSS Council through collaboration with WECS and the Anti-Violence Project. I will push for workshops like these to occur more frequently and to be offered to a wider audience.

Overall, I want to listen to the ECSS community and strive to build support through conversation

Point Form Summary of Platform Description 

• Communication: Distribute available resources more regularly 

• Policy: Review ECSS policy and operations to increase the benefit of them for everyone involved  

• Community: Provide better tooling and support for those within the community  

Overall, I want to listen to the ECSS Community and provide support where I am able

 Peter Nguyen

VP Equity 

Personal Description
Hi there. I’m Peter Nguyen, a first-year (currently) undeclared engineering student. I’m originally from Regina, Saskatchewan, and moved here in late August.

As a second-generation immigrant, I’m deeply passionate about languages, culture and above all – equity. I currently speak English, French, and take Slavic studies courses at UVic when I’m not studying engineering. Through my experience as a Director of Bilingualism for the planning committee of the Canadian Federation of Engineering Students’ Conference on Diversity in Engineering, I believe I can help further the ECSS’ policies and make UVic’s Faculty of Engineering a more inclusive and engaging space for all.

Point Form Summary of Platform Description 

1. Collaborate with other student organizations 

I’d love to meet with other organizations on campus (like those at the Students of Colour Collective, UVic Pride, the Gender Empowerment Centre, among others) to hear their opinions, discuss possible event collaborations, and build relationships.

2. Collect Data & Facilitate Member Input 

Although the ECSS is already doing a great job, I’d like to determine where we should move next by collecting student input and seeing what problems have the biggest impact on our members. To that end, I’d also like to invite any student to contact me personally should they have any questions or concerns. Transparency is key.

3. Advocate for Student Wellness 

Engineering is brutal, and I’d like to do everything in my power to lessen that strain. From mental health check-ins to student wellness events at the ECSS, my goal is to make the ECSS and engineering as accessible and as pleasant as possible.

Arfaz Hossain

VP Corporate Relations 

Personal Description
I am a fourth year Software Engineering student at UVic with previous experience in communications and corporate relations team within ECSS. I have worked with the communications team as a graphics designer, which involved creating posters for events, and have also served as a LinkedIn coordinator and Director of Sponsorship on the corporate team.. My background in these roles has given me a strong understanding of the responsibilities of VP Corporate Relations, and I am excited to leverage my skills to enhance ECSS’s outreach and engagement.

Platform Description 

1. Strengthen and grow industry partnerships by proactively reaching out to local tech and engineering companies, building long-term relationships that benefit ECSS and its members

2. Secure meaningful sponsorships for ECSS initiatives for ensuring the student body receives maximum value

3. Create better networking opportunities for students through industry-connected events, panels, and meet-and-greets that open doors for internships and careers.

 4. Leverage my existing network from the Victoria Data Society and prior corporate team experience. 

5. Maintain a professional, organized, and respectful process for all industry outreach, upholding the ECSS's reputation with external partners

Point Form Summary of Platform Description 

1. Grow and maintain industry partnerships with local tech and engineering firms, secure sponsorships for ECSS events,UVEC, among other operations

2. Organize networking events that connect students with industry professionals

3. Ensure all industry outreach is professional, organized, and respectful

Sophie Bechard

VP Student Life

Personal Description

Hi, my name is Sophie Bechard and I am hoping to be your VP Student Life for 2026-2027! I am in my third year of civil engineering and have been involved in the

ECSS since first year, having done roles such as secretary, director of outreach, social media, director of merch, and VP Equity. I have also been in UVic Seismic since first year and am serving as Outreach Coordinator until summer. I am excited to bring my skills to this role, along with my appreciation for the work our clubs do and the benefits they provide to students.

Platform Description 

As VP Student Life, I want to elevate the experience of students and clubs by providing open communication and authentically representing their needs to the ECSS council. It can be difficult to ensure that club events don’t conflict. I would like to collect event info so it can be added to the ECSS website’s events calendar and be shared among our social media platforms through this central point of contact. This could also lead to the creation of an opt-in newsletter to ensure that we reach students through email as well.

Other potential supports include compiling resources that can help new clubs and club executives, as well as general resources for new students to make the most of what isavailable to them on campus. I would also talk to the faculty to advocate for a better standard of email communication and club reimbursement. 

Many students want more engagement at the start of September, and that impact is felt the most by new students. I have been thinking about running exploratory events or lab tours in September where students can meet club representatives in the spaces they work in. Visiting a club room, seeing their projects and talking to the students involved can inspire new students to get involved and help them connect with the ECS community.

Lastly, I would like to make our students more visibly unified around campus by introducing new merchandise that reflects our student body and continuously improve the lounge to make it a welcoming space

Point Form Summary of Platform Description 

• Collect event info from clubs to prevent scheduling conflicts and distribute directly  to the student body via social media and an opt-in newsletter.  

• Compile resources for new clubs and club executives, as well as general student  information on ECS and campus resources.  

• Advocate for better email communication and club reimbursement from the faculty.  

• September events to promote student engagement, such as lab tours where  students can discover club spaces and interact with members.

• Create new engineering and computer science merchandise that reflects the  students and makes us more visible on campus.

• Maintain the lounge and continuously improve to make it a welcoming space for  students.

• By voting for me, you will be choosing someone who will come into the role prepared and ready to listen to what students need most.